photo by: Sara Shepherd

The School of Engineering complex on the University of Kansas campus is pictured Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. The newest building, LEEP2, in the center, opened in August 2015.

Instead of offering a typical scholarship for a student in school, a gift to the University of Kansas School of Engineering will provide money to eligible female Hispanic students to help pay off student loans.

The E.E. Carter Foundation Opportunity Award will provide $20,000 annually to pay off subsidized federal loans upon graduation from an engineering program at KU, according to a news release from KU Endowment. More than one award could be provided each year, with a preference for first-generation students. The one-time award does not depend on the graduate’s GPA.

Gene Carter, of Arlington, Mass., said in the news release that while many factors influenced his decision to make the award available at KU, one of the most important was encouraging students to complete their degree; a loan repayment award like this one encourages students to persevere.

“My wife’s experience as a young refugee and my childhood ties to Kansas greatly inspired me,” Carter said.

Although Carter, a native of Wichita, does not have academic ties to KU, he previously had established a scholarship at KU in honor of a close childhood friend.

“This fund will provide a unique opportunity for underrepresented students at KU Engineering. We are thrilled to establish this award and thankful to Gene Carter for the gift,” said Arvin Agah, interim dean of the School of Engineering.